In the Beginning
In the Beginning
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1
Jesus is called by John as the Word. This is done because Jesus was that voice that brought creation and the universe into existence. It was Jesus’ words that formed stars, planets, galaxies, molecules, atoms and everything in between. It was the same voice that raised the dead and healed with a simple word. The word of Jesus is truly a powerful thing.
The first verse of John’s gospel tell us a lot about Jesus and God. In just a few words we find that Jesus was with God, therefore separate and distinct from God but also that he was God. This opens up the great mystery of trying to understand an explain God. How can Jesus both be with and be God? I don’t think our human minds nor our limited vocabulary or understanding can truly give an answer that adequately explains this question. What we do know is that God the Father and Jesus are distinct being, both existing at the same time while not being in the same place. In that way Jesus could be ‘with God.’
We also know that Jesus and God are both one and equal:
30 I and My Father are one.”
John 10:30
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
Philippians 2:5-6
This unity and equality is why Jesus not only can be ‘with God’ but can also ‘be God.’ Although that may not explain it all for some, it is what the Bible itself offers as an explanation. We have to be open to the fact there are things about God that we will not fully understand until we are standing by him in heaven.
What John clearly does in the start of his gospel however is to make Jesus the center and focus of his good news. Jesus was there at the very beginning. He was the word. He was with God and was God. That is why Jesus is able to be the savior the world needs. No one else can claim to be who Jesus is. No one else could take our place in death. I pray that we can also make Jesus our center and focus.
God bless,
Pr. Steven Couto